Overdose deaths prompt response from Police Chief
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum wants people to remain vigilant when it comes to drug overdoses. The chief spoke with reporters today following three deaths in the past few weeks believed to be related to overdoses.
So far in 2025, drug overdoses have killed seven people in Sioux Falls, with an 8th suspected case awaiting toxicology tests.
SFPD: 7 confirmed overdose deaths so far in 2025
'When we look at these drug cases, I think sometimes we hear terminology, like hey it's a bad batch, or its a hot batch, the reality is with the drugs we are dealing with in this day and age, there is no such thing, they are all bad batches, said Thum.
At this time last year the city had ten deaths linked to drug overdoses. Emily's Hope founder Angela Kennecke looks at the drop in deaths so far, as a small victory.
'Overdose deaths actually decreased by 20 percent. I think that is a good thing. However, of course, the eight tragic deaths and how those have impacted families and friends, that's awful. And I want to see no deaths at all, but to have the numbers going down, I think that's fantastic,' said Kennecke.
Kennecke's nonprofit, Emily's Hope, has distributed more than a thousand doses of Naloxone, also called Narcan, statewide in the past year.
Kennecke says people are relaying information to her that they have already prevented several overdoses.
'So I have had separate people approach me, at different times to tell me that Naloxone has saved someone's life. The Naloxone they got from an Emily's Hope distribution box,' said Kennecke.
Those public Naloxone distribution boxes are placed in strategic locations throughout South Dakota. Kennecke says Naloxone is a tool, not a cure.
'So we also offer a post-overdose response team for people who have survived an overdose to connect them with the resources that they need. It has to be followed up with the right kind of care to treat substance abuse disorder,' said Kennecke.
Chief Thum agrees, it's what happens after an overdose that can lead to change.
'If you are not dealing with the root cause, if you are not dealing with people who have that demand for that narcotic and some of those issues that are there, it's a multi-faceted approach that has to be taken,' said Thum.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man accused of injuring 2 Nashville first responders with car
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Two members of the Nashville Fire Department were injured while responding to a call in the Edgefield area Saturday afternoon, leading to one man's arrest. The Metro Nashville Police Department said NFD personnel responded to a report of two people passed out inside a vehicle at the intersection of Fatherland Street and South 6th Street around 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 31. When personnel arrived, 44-year-old Anthony Maynard Jr. had regained consciousness, but his female passenger was unresponsive. 1 charged after 2 killed, 1 injured in Columbia shooting According to authorities, Maynard became combative while one paramedic was assisting him. Then, while the other first responder tried to help the passenger, Maynard allegedly accelerated the car, injuring both NFD employees. Officials said the two first responders were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-critical injuries. Meanwhile, police said the Kia was found a short time later, stopped at the intersection of Marina Street and Myrtle Street, with both Maynard and his passenger unconscious inside. Motorcyclist critically injured after multi-vehicle crash on I-440 in Nashville According to law enforcement, Maynard became combative with officers, but he was eventually taken into custody. Authorities also provided Narcan to the passenger, who reportedly recovered. Officials said Maynard — who was driving on a revoked license — admitted during an interview that he didn't remember the incident 'due to taking narcotics.' He is being held on a $45,500 bond for two counts of aggravated assault on a first responder, driving under the influence, and resisting arrest. No additional details have been released about this incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Holyoke police to cite driver who heavily damaged JFK memorial while driving under the influence
HOLYOKE — A driver who crashed into John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza early Sunday morning, heavily damaging several monuments, will be charged with driving under the influence of drugs and destruction of property. Officers responding to reports of the 4:25 a.m. crash at Suffolk, Sycamore and Appleton streets found the 26-year-old driver and a passenger inside the vehicle. Firefighters arrived shortly after and helped remove the two from the car, Police Chief Brian Keenan said. 'The driver and passenger were administered Narcan and transported to the hospital to evaluate possible injuries,' he said. Narcan is used to reverse opioid overdoses. The driver, who is from Springfield, will be cited for the crimes. His name will not be released until charges are leveled, Keenan said. At least four monuments were toppled, several were smashed, and the lawn and other concrete areas were damaged. The Department of Public Works has been notified, he said. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Smith runs for mayor, weekend crash, Sugar Shack is back
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Wildfire smoke still hangs in the air this Sunday. Let's get a check on the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go. A driver is dead after crashing his car into a grove of trees near Humboldt over the weekend. One dead, one hospitalized in Minnehaha county crash South Dakota State Senator Jamie Smith has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the office of mayor of Sioux Falls. Jamie Smith aims to be the next Sioux Falls Mayor An air quality alert has been in effect for South Dakota this weekend. Air quality alert issued for South Dakota due to wildfire smoke Smoky skies will fill several portions of KELOLAND today, with air quality concerns in place due to Canadian wildfire smoke riding along the jet stream and moving through the area. Storm Center AM Update: Smoky Skies Again; Watching Monday A popular burger joint in the northern Black Hills has risen from the ashes following a devastating fire nearly two years ago. The Sugar Shack is back in business For the latest in news and weather, use the KELOLAND News app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
